Books of the Month, September 2017

Gotta extra space on your shelf? Looking for a new world to fall into? Check out these great books, old and new, as summer winds to a close.

This Savage Song by V. E. Schwab

All Kate Harker wants is to be as ruthless as her father. All August Flynn wants is to be human. After demonic creatures nearly kill her, Kate teams up with August, who has the ability to steal human souls. Join them in this dark urban fantasy, where monsters lurk in a city under siege.

Read if: You like Holly Black, Chronicle, or dark fantasy. This Savage Song is the first in a two-part series called Monsters of Verity.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Now a TV series on Starz, Neil Gaiman’s 2001 book follows Shadow, a man recently released from prison, as he takes up work as a right-hand-man to the mysterious Mr. Wednesday. His journey brings him to encounters with old gods from forgotten religions walking around the American Midwest, all while Mr. Wednesday seems to have something up his sleeve.

Read if: You like mythology, road trips, con men, Neil Gaiman, and all of the above. American Gods does have a sequel, The Anansi Boys.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Vasilisa lives at the edge of the Russian woods, where snowdrifts cover most of the year and fantastical spirits hide among the trees. When Vasya’s stepmother forbids honoring the old spirits, crops begin to fail and the more evil, more terrifying creatures start crawling out of the woods. It’s up to Vasilisa to stop the scourge and fight against nightmares straight out of old Russian fairytales.

Read if: You like fairytales, headstrong heroes, stories set in the snow, or East by Edith Pattou.